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Oh gosh, that is heart breaking. I actually had to go to the Vet after hours last week with my old boy due to him crying in pain, so I know how terrible it is to hear them cry. The vet thought my dog was having back pain and so far the meds have worked but I am going to follow up with a neuro. Listening to my old dog for only 30 minutes, I can't imagine having to listen to a dog longer than that. I just don't have the heart. I hope they can find some relief for your girl.

Oh gosh, that is heart breaking. I actually had to go to the Vet after hours last week with my old boy due to him crying in pain, so I know how terrible it is to hear them cry. The vet thought my dog was having back pain and so far the meds have worked but I am going to follow up with a neuro. Listening to my old dog for only 30 minutes, I can't imagine having to listen to a dog longer than that. I just don't have the heart. I hope they can find some relief for your girl.

Just curious but why didn't the vet give you pain medication?

She didn't give a reason. I should be able to get an appointment with the neurologist tomorrow or Wednesday. She was very clear that she wasn't going to spend any time trying to manage Thistle, when it was obvious she should be handled by a specialist.

The neurologist she usually recommends is on vacation until Feb., so she sent me to another one, rather than wait.

Thistle was only screaming for about 10 minutes, not several hours. She was restless, panting, and obviously uncomfortable all night though.

I only have a bike as transportation here, so an emergency vet visit is quite a hardship. I should know where one is though, I can always call a taxi if need be.

The vet today is 2 communes away, it took me 1.5 hours to bike home from work, get to the metro and get to the right commune, and walk to the clinic. If Thistle was in a state to walk herself it would have been faster, but I carried her in her carrier the whole way.

I have already purchased a stroller, so future trips should be less taxing on me. I'm very petite, so carrying the extra 20 lbs that is dog + carrier makes a significant difference in my speed.

I have just watched this video three times through and I am sorry to say that it does look to me as though Thistle is showing symptoms of SM. I only have experience of Rebel suffering from this disease, but the scratching is identical to his, as is the restlessness and trying to find a pain free position. The noises aren't quite the same as Rebel has made when in extreme pain but of course every dog is different and every dog's collection of symptoms is too. Rebel too lost the ability to walk until he had been started on medication for a few days, then it was a very different story.

I am so glad that you have got yourself a stroller to make transporting a sick dog easier. I am petite too, also without transport, so I bless the day somebody at a dog show suggested I purchase the stroller for my epileptic dog. My CC/DE girl also uses it to avoid walking on hard ground, which has eliminated all the infected pads and nail beds she had to cope with before.

I do hope you get definite answers from the neurologist tomorrow, although you may have to wait a while for the MRI scan to be interpreted. The neurologist is likely to prescribe suitable pain relief whatever the diagnosis.

Sending gentle hugs for you and Thistle while I spin the Tibetan Prayer Wheel as I write.

I'm so sorry to hear your.ittle one is having pain. I don't think I could personally bear that.

You might want to start tracking the barometric pressure for your area. I gather that can have a big effect on dogs with syrinxes, and people on here have been able to predict somewhat when their dog might have a pain episode.

Soushiruiuma wrote: 'Since the optic and oculomotor nerves arise from the mid-brain they would not be affected.' Unfortunately it doesn't work like that, because the CM on its own blocks the flow of CSF round the brain and causes it to back up in the ventricles at the front of the skull. This can cause painful headaches and eye problems such as light phobia (which so far Thistle doesn't seem to have - one thing to be thankful for!), entirely independent of the damage lower down being done by the syrinx. Hope your visit to the neurologist sheds a lot of light and gets the pain under control.

Alright step one she is out of pain for now. Thank goodness, I always think getting the issue on video is helpful. I am also glad you like the vet and it seams both you and the vet is doing everything possible for Thistle. I must admit tho I did not watch the video, I just would cry and I have only seen a few pain episodes and I can't be of any help so tho you were so smart to take the video I just can't watch it.

Melissa
"If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life."
-Roger Caras

UPDATE: We made it through the night, and everyone got to sleep. Thistle was still uncomfortable, and would get up and move around periodically, but only scratched a teeny bit (one or two kicks, occurring about 6 times night). She came over an snuggled quite a bit which was really nice.

She liked to be petted on the right side (the normal side), but would tense up if I touched her left side. She still has a long way to go before she's comfortable. It would have been nice to be able to give a her a dose of tramadol or something to get her pain-free. But it was an improvement nonetheless.

Our neurologist appointment is at 4 pm today.

She's also kind of smelly, but I won't bathe her till she's comfortable.

I don't think the neurologist is going to mind that she is smelly, cute out weights smelly every time. I'm so glad you can get her in the see a neurologist so quickly, it still may be after a few tests and the dreaded MRI before you know exactly what is going on but I'm sure getting her out if pain as soon as possible will be a top priority. She is so lucky to have a Mommy whose so on top of her care.

Melissa
"If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life."
-Roger Caras

I'm so glad there was an improvement last night -- you both needed the rest I am sure! We'll all be thinking of you at 4pm -- you're probably en route right now. No matter the result, I think it is always a relief to know what is going on. You'll also be able to get her on to a pain management programme and then consider what steps will be next -- but she'll be so much more comfortable.